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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Clarify (10/15/15)
“What on earth do you mean with this story?”
“I just want to tell what really happened at...”

I want to share my story with other people. Yet, being eager to speak or write, I only confuse them. Why can’t they understand me?

When our little girl came with us on furlough from Thailand, she was given an opportunity to be at a Day Care Center a few hours each day. We had adopted her just one year earlier, aged three. She had to learn ways to express herself in a new language. Each day when she came home she was excited. She wanted to share everything that had happened that day. Her words came out as a jumble of sounds. She did not have enough vocabulary to share her experiences. Only the first and last sentences gave us a clue.

I discussed the situation with her teacher. We were able to analyze her particular problems and clear up some misunderstanding. My discussions with her teacher definitely clarified our daughter’s slight handicap at that particular stage of her life. (When our daughter grew up, she became a teacher.)

I guess that situation could be compared with a first draft in writing. I have ideas – and often plenty of vocabulary, but the words won’t come out just the way I want them to. They are just a jumble of indefinite clues to what I mean to say. I sincerely want people to understand me.

Yet, I have a long way to go to find better ways to formulate my stories and clarify my meaning. I wish I could illustrate them with the correct words, making a clear path for my readers to walk on. I am thankful for the rich source of thoughts and inspiration I have in God’s Word. “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105

Revising and editing, editing and revising, over and over does help.
Remembering that “the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times” Psalm 12:6 helps me understand, that my stumbling attempts at writing, definitely need refining. My words will never be as pure as His, but He has called me to share the wonder of His faithfulness, and to clarify my words about Him so well that even a child can understand them.
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This article has been read 688 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Judy Sauer 
10/23/15
Every writer shares these sentiments at some point in the process. I was confused, or perhaps lost, with your opening two lines. The story could stand on its own without them.

To help yourself with writing improvement, check out the writing basics by Jan on the Forums. There are also lessons on grammar by Ann. I find the lessons helpful, and I bet you will as well.

Be consoled by knowing that admitting our gaps of talent is the first step to getting better at this craft.

Do not lose heart. Keep trying.
Pat Small
10/23/15
You summed up what we all face. Often when I think an entry is good, others' comments don't see it that way. Then when I turn in something because the deadline looms, even though I am not very happy with it, it gets high praise. Ienjoyed the offbeat twist.
Janice Wappel
10/24/15
I too have trouble formulating ideas and getting them on paper so people know what I am actually trying to say.
Lynn Smith
10/24/15
Thanks for sharing this. You are not alone. These are struggles that we all face as writers, but it does get better.

God bless. :)
Larry Whittington
10/28/15
You used your child in a very illustrious manner. It all fit together perfectly.

Our prayer as we write, edit and rewrite should be our desire to do his will for his glory so others may understand.
Judy Sauer 
10/31/15
Congratulations on Highly Commended.